DNR News: Prevent wildfires this Independence Day

DNR News: Prevent wildfires this Independence Day

 
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DNR News

July 3, 2025
Contact: Jeff Corser (Lower Peninsula), 989-385-5617 or Celeste Chingwa (Upper Peninsula), 906-250-2466

Celebrate safely: Prevent wildfires this Independence Day

woman in jeans and long-sleeved shirt pours a bucket of water on a campfire as another woman sits at a picnic table next to herAs you plan for a fun-filled Fourth of July holiday, whether it includes fireworks, camping, off-roading or simply tackling projects around the yard, don’t forget to take precautions to prevent wildfires.

“Nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by people,” said Paul Rogers, fire prevention specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “With fireworks, campfires and outdoor equipment in use during the holiday, it’s important to stay alert and take simple steps to protect people, property and the outdoor places we love.”

Fire danger has been on the lower side this year due to regular rain, but that doesn’t mean the risk is zero, especially with fireworks. There is currently an area of drought extending from Muskegon to Saginaw Bay (as shown on this U.S. Drought Monitor map) that is experiencing above-normal drought conditions – everyone is advised to use great caution in that area.

“Fireworks can ignite dry grass or brush in an instant,” Rogers said. “Avoid aiming them into wooded areas or tall vegetation. And always check your local ordinances – many communities only allow fireworks on the holiday itself and the days immediately before and after.”

Rogers encouraged Michigan residents and visitors to put safety first with any celebrations or yardwork.

Fireworks safety

  • If lighting fireworks on grass, wet the area first and keep a hose and water bucket nearby.
  • Soak used sparklers and spent fireworks in water before throwing away.
  • Sky lanterns and aerial fireworks are not allowed in Michigan state parks or recreation areas.

Campfire safety

  • Use a designated fire ring on bare soil, away from trees and low-hanging branches.
  • When extinguishing your fire, drench it with water, stir the ashes and repeat until the embers are cool to the touch.
  • Be cautious of floating embers, which can ignite dry grass, leaves or brush.

Debris burning

  • Check current burn permits; burning isn’t allowed on hot, dry or windy days.
  • Keep burn piles manageable and no larger than 3 feet high and wide.
  • Always have a water source nearby.
  • Instead of burning, consider composting or recycling yard debris.
  • Fires should be at least 10 feet from logs, stumps and other flammable materials.

For more information on fire prevention and safe burning practices, visit Michigan.gov/FireManagement.


Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

Parks and campgrounds open after ice storm damage

Parks and campgrounds open after ice storm damage

 
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DNR News

July 1, 2025
Contact: Kerry Heckman, 517-643-1256 or Beth Fults, 517-282-5985

Parks and campgrounds open after ice storm damage; be careful on forest roads and trails

On the North Branch ORV Trail, an orange flag marks a section of downed, dead trees, and low-hanging brush and trees block the sandy trailIf you’re heading to northern Michigan or planning to spend time in state parks or forests in that area over the Fourth of July weekend, be aware of lingering hazards and damage from the March 28-30 ice storm.

All state parks and boating access sites that closed following the storm have reopened, and all state forest campgrounds are expected to be open by this weekend. Michigan Department of Natural Resources staff has spent thousands of hours since the storm clearing fallen trees and branches and repairing damage. Initially, the damage from the storm caused the DNR to temporarily close 19 state parks, 54 state forest campgrounds and 162 boating access sites.

Although roughly 60 percent of DNR-managed trails in the region remain temporarily closed, the North Western State Trail, North Central State Trail and North Eastern State Trail have been cleared and are open. Please respect closure signs on the motorized and nonmotorized trails that still need to be cleared.

“We’ve made a strong effort to get people safely back into the outdoors,” said Chris Stark, one of the leaders of the DNR’s ice storm response team. “People will still notice some effects of the storm and will need to be careful to stay on open trails to avoid any accidents. In the forest, broken branches remain underfoot and above our heads. Leaning trees and broken branches still hanging in trees can fall without warning.”

A changed landscape

a metal fire ring, picnic table and grill in a clearing at one of Michigan's state forest campgrounds, recently cleared of downed trees, debris.Parts of the forest that suffered heavy damage look different now. Travelers may notice this along I-75 while driving north of Gaylord. Some conifer trees are broken, with trunks that look like toothpicks sticking out of the ground. Treetops of deciduous trees (those that shed their leaves seasonally) may look sparse if the trees lost ice-laden branches during the storm. Over 1,200 miles of state forest roads remain impassable.

You can find a map and dashboard with the latest status (open, partially open, temporarily closed) of state-managed facilities, trails and forest roads; an interactive map; safety updates; and more on the DNR’s ice storm response page. There’s also a story map detailing the impact of the ice storm and the response and recovery efforts.

Next steps

DNR staff continues to assess the damage and conduct cleanup throughout the area and is also working to implement longer-term strategies, such as conducting timber salvage operations and replanting trees.

The ice storm affected much of northern Michigan beginning March 28, leaving trees coated with up to an inch of ice. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a 12-county disaster area encompassing Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties.

The storm profoundly affected nearly 1 million acres of DNR-managed lands, 3,400 miles of state forest roads and 3,290 miles of state-managed trails, including 1,700 miles of state-designated ORV trails and routes.


Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows. Photos courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

  • North Branch ORV Trail: A portion of the North Branch ORV Trail (near Gaylord), which remains temporarily closed.
  • SFC post-cleanup: One of Michigan’s state forest campgrounds that has been cleared of debris and recently reopened within the 12-county area affected by the March 2025 ice storm.
DNR News Digest – Week of June 30, 2025

DNR News Digest – Week of June 30, 2025

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News Digest – Week of June 30, 2025

A DNR park interpreter leads a group of about a dozen kids on a nature hike through Maybury State Park
Ready for the long holiday weekend? Here are a few of this week’s stories from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to get you started, keep you safe and inspire some outdoor independence!

See other news releases, Showcasing the DNR stories, photos and other resources at Michigan.gov/DNRPressRoom.

PHOTOS: Larger, higher-res versions of some of the images used in this email (forest bathing and kids on beach) are available in the DNR’s public online image collection. Others – patrol boat, explorer guide and ORVs – are available in this folder.


‘Forest bathing’ can cleanse the mind, refresh the soul

Daylight breaks through the lush green canopy of the tall, dark-barked trees at Hartwick Pines State Park in Crawford County, MichiganFeeling stressed out over the news, work pressures, a too-busy life? Or just feeling a deep desire to get away from it all? The forest is here to help.

Yes, the forest!

Take advantage of the long Fourth of July holiday weekend to immerse yourself in a little forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, a form of nature therapy that originated in Japan. The idea: Get far enough into the woods that you’re disconnected from the daily grind. Walk, sit, do yoga or tai chi, hug a tree, look up, take it all in. Try to use all five senses to truly experience the forest’s green embrace.

According to a report from National Public Radio, studies show that forest bathing can help your immune system, lower blood pressure, stabilize blood sugar and help with depression. For an even deeper dive, check out this Showcasing the DNR story penned by a former DNR staff member who described their experience connecting with the forest.

You can enjoy forest bathing just about anywhere – a local park, your back yard – but you also might consider one of Michigan’s 103 state parks, nearly 4 million acres of state forest land or more than 13,000 miles of state-designated trails.

Questions? Email Matt Watkeys at WatkeysM@Michigan.gov.


Operation Dry Water promotes sober boating July 4-6

A male DNR conservation officer holds onto the side of a patrol boat moving among boats and personal watercrafts on a Michigan lakeBoating is a big part of summer fun in Michigan, and the season regularly ramps up with the Fourth of July holiday. To ensure greater public safety and awareness, DNR conservation officers will have an increased presence on Michigan waterways July 4-6 as part of Operation Dry Water, a national campaign to promote sober boating.

According to the most recent U.S. Coast Guard report, alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in boating fatalities and a significant cause of on-the-water incidents.

Alcohol impairs a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time, and can increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold-water immersion. Sun, wind, noise, vibration and motion – elements common to the boating environment – intensify the side effects of alcohol, drugs and some medications.

What can you do to protect yourself and loved ones? In addition to riding with a sober operator who has successfully completed an accredited boater safety course, boaters also should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Data shows that 87% of victims who drown in recreational boating accidents were not wearing life jackets.

Boaters also are urged to always:

  • Use an engine cut-off switch.
  • Check that all safety equipment is present and functional.
  • Share trip details with a trusted person before heading out.
  • Monitor weather conditions and be prepared for changes.
  • Follow navigation rules and consistently look out for other boaters.

For more information, including more safety resources, visit Michigan.gov/Boating.

Questions? Email Cpl. Jill Miller at MillerJ86@Michigan.gov.


Free family fun with DNR’s explorer guide program

Falechia Barry, explorer guide at Interlochen State Park, shows animal furs to a group of kids and parents gathered in a forest areaThere are more than a hundred fun and free activities happening over the holiday week thanks to the DNR’s explorer guide program! You can join our guides at 30 different state parks throughout Michigan, where you’ll find activities ranging from guided nature walks and creative crafts to stories shared around a campfire.

On July 4, you can take a break from the parades and fireworks by writing and sharing nature poetry at Port Crescent State Park in Huron County.

“I see art and beauty within science,” said explorer guide Natasha Swoish. “I’m hoping people can walk away feeling inspired by nature, and by extension, feel more inclined to take small actions to help protect it in the future.”

Port Crescent State Park, stretching across 3 miles of sandy Lake Huron shoreline, offers unique overnight accommodations, including geodesic domes and cottages, along with a dark sky preserve that is perfect for stargazing.

On July 5, visitors can learn about the 360-million-year-old fossils they might find on the beach or even in the campground at Hoeft State Park in Presque Isle County.

A little girl and little boy crouch down on the beach at Hoeft State Park as they dig through the sand, sending sand up in the air“The coral fossils visitors are finding here are much older than dinosaurs,” said explorer guide Dana Roof. “They are close to the surface because the glaciers in this area scraped away all of the layers of fossils above them and left only the older fossils behind.”

Visiting history buffs also will appreciate Hoeft State Park’s picnic shelter. It was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and offers visitors a chance to learn about the park’s importance in conservation history.

On July 8, guests can join Interlochen State Park’s explorer guide, Falechia Barry, at Platte River State Fish Hatchery for a guided tour. The hatchery, located in Benzie County, focuses on raising coolwater fish like Chinook, coho and Atlantic salmon – species that support both the ecosystem and Michigan’s recreational fishing industry.

“The excitement kids feel when they see 100,000 fish at once is irreplaceable,” said Barry. “It’s a moment that sticks with them, and the knowledge they gain from the tour stays with them, too.”

For more information and weekly nature program schedules at the 30 explorer guide parks, visit Michigan.gov/NaturePrograms. Questions about the DNR’s explorer guide program? Contact Shaun McKeon at 989-370-0789.


‘Ride Right’ for safe, responsible, off-road adventure

Tall, black off-road vehicles drive single-file down a dusty trail framed by thick, green forest and yellow flowersOff-road vehicles are fun year-round, but activity in Michigan tends to increase around the Fourth of July holiday as people head to trails and ORV scramble areas to enjoy world-class riding experiences.

Keeping safety in mind is vital on any ride, for you and others. According to 2023 statewide ORV crash data, 93% of ORV fatalities could have been prevented. These crashes and injuries primarily were due to excessive speed and a lack of helmet/seat belt use. Parents are reminded, too, that they must have visual supervision of all children under the age of 16 when those children are operating an ORV.

“Always ride within your and the machine’s capabilities,” said Cpl. Mike Hearn, DNR law enforcement ORV and snowmobile specialist. “When you ride too fast, you are more likely to lose control when hitting even the smallest bump or trying to make turns or stop.”

All ORV operators are urged to “Ride Right” and keep other important guidance in mind:

  • Ride at a safe speed.
  • Ride sober.
  • Ride on the right side of the trail.
  • Keep lights on when riding.
  • Always wear a helmet.

Please keep in mind that about 60% of motorized and nonmotorized DNR-managed trails in northern Michigan remain temporarily closed due to effects of the March 28-30 ice storm. For status updates on state-managed facilities, trails and forest roads, refer to the map and dashboard on the DNR’s ice storm response page.

Additionally, ORV operators who are transporting children should refer to the ORV manufacturer owner’s manual regarding use of car seats or boosters.

Do your part to ensure everyone returns home safely; read more about ORV safety at Michigan.gov/RideRight.

For more on where to ride and ORV laws in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/ORVInfo.

Questions? Email Cpl. Mike Hearn at HearnM@Michigan.gov.


Photo ambassador snapshot: Heading toward sunset

A standup paddle boarder far offshore from Port Crescent State Park framed against the orange sunset and flat-bottomed cloudsSee more pictures by Michigan state parks photo ambassadors at Instagram.com/MiStateParks. For more on the program, call Stephanie Yancer at 989-274-6182. (This photo is by Karen Allmond, for the Michigan DNR, at Port Crescent State Park in Huron County.)


THINGS TO DO

Michigan’s great outdoors is for everyone! From color-blind scenic viewers and track chairs to beach walkways and hunt seasons, explore accessible outdoor recreation options.

BUY & APPLY

If you want to learn more about fishing, hunting, beekeeping, foraging and other outdoor fun but are nervous about getting started, the Outdoor Skills Academy is for you. Check the schedule!

GET INVOLVED

You can help researchers and natural resource managers learn about wildlife, invasive species, water quality, climate change and more. Find a community science project near you.

Following the unprecedented March 28-30 ice storm in northern Michigan, Department of Natural Resources teams from across the state have been working tirelessly to assess the damage and continue the monumental cleanup.  All impacted state parks and boating access sites have reopened. Find a map and dashboard with the latest status of state-managed trails and state forest campgrounds; an interactive map; safety updates; and more on the DNR’s ice storm response page.

DNR News Digest – Week of June 23, 2025

DNR News Digest – Week of June 23, 2025

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News Digest – Week of June 23, 2025

man in a ballcap holding a young boy, framed in shadow on the shore as the pink-orange sun sets on Little Traverse Bay

Don’t let the sun set on your summer fun! Get inspired by the DNR events calendar.

Here are a few of this week’s stories from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources:

See other news releases, Showcasing the DNR stories, photos and other resources at Michigan.gov/DNRPressRoom.

PHOTO FOLDER: Larger, higher-res versions of photos from the butterfly and explorer guide stories are in this folder. Others, including sunsetvolunteer stewardship and Battery D reenactment, are available in the DNR’s public image gallery.


From cocoon to comeback: Breeding butterflies for the wild

A Poweshiek skipperling butterfly, with pale peach and gray wings and two pink-red dots, rests on the yellow petal of a flowerThough there is something almost magical about crossing paths with a butterfly, most people stop to enjoy the sight without giving the encounter much thought. Unfortunately, the long-term existence of several butterfly species isn’t a given – but the DNR and partners are working to turn the tide in their favor, and good news for two of the state’s tiniest butterflies means good things for the bigger habitat picture, too.

The Michigan Wildlife Action Plan serves as a strategic blueprint for conserving the state’s native wildlife and the habitats they depend on. Central to the plan is the identification of Species of Greatest Conservation Need – wildlife facing significant threats to their survival. Among these are two critically endangered butterflies: the Poweshiek skipperling and Mitchell’s satyr. In Michigan, both species are now limited to a few remaining prairie fens, ecosystems vital to their life cycles.

“The state Wildlife Action Plan helps us focus our conservation efforts where they matter most,” said Tony Henehan, the DNR’s coordinator of that plan. “By identifying species at greatest risk – like the Poweshiek skipperling and Mitchell’s satyr – we’re able to prioritize resources and partnerships that give these species a fighting chance.”

The powerful prairie fen

Once common across the Midwest, the Poweshiek skipperling is now found only in a few prairie fens in Michigan and Manitoba, having disappeared from the rest of its historical range. This species depends on the presence of prairie dropseed and black-eyed Susan, which serve as host and nectar plants. Prairie fens – wetland ecosystems fed by mineral-rich groundwater – support a unique array of plant and animal life, making them essential to the survival of specialized species like the skipperling.

A Mitchell's satyr butterfly, with pale orange double wings, delicate black circle patterns and marked with the numbers 51, hangs from a twigSimilarly, Mitchell’s satyr (shown here) is restricted to a handful of prairie fens in Michigan, and considered extirpated, or no longer existing in former habitats in states including Indiana, Ohio and New Jersey. Unlike the skipperling, the satyr favors more shaded areas and doesn’t rely on nectar. Its caterpillars feed primarily on grasslike sedges, particularly Carex stricta. Both species continue to decline, highlighting the urgent need for targeted conservation of prairie fens and their biodiversity.

“The prairie fen is a hidden gem of biodiversity,” said Dave Pavlik, research assistant with the Haddad Lab at Michigan State University. “When we protect these habitats, we’re not just saving one species, we are preserving entire ecosystems that many rare plants and animals rely on.”

Signs of life

Over the last decade, the DNR has worked with a growing network of partners to conserve these imperiled species. One such partner, the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, has been breeding and rearing both butterflies for release in the wild. When the population levels of a species become too low, that species becomes more vulnerable to environmental events such as severe weather or disease and may not be able to recover on its own. Adding individuals to these small populations can help in population growth and recovery.

In collaboration with the Haddad Lab, the John Ball Zoo began captive rearing and breeding Poweshiek skipperlings in 2021. Because populations were dangerously low in the wild, this “insurance” population was vital to recovery plans and management. The insurance population also provides hope for the butterflies’ future in the face of extinction in the wild.

smiling man in gray shirt and ballcap and glasses kneels in a grassy field, a small orange and black butterfly resting atop his fingersStarting with 32 butterflies in 2021, the John Ball Zoo has bred over 100 pairs of Poweshiek skipperlings and helped release thousands of butterflies into the wild. Last year, these efforts resulted in the first-ever reintroduction of Poweshiek skipperlings at a site where they’d once thrived in Michigan. Populations have started to show positive signs of continued growth since 2022, an indication that this species can be brought back from the brink of extinction.

“To see a butterfly once feared extinct take flight again in its native habitat is incredibly moving,” said Bill Flanagan (shown here), conservation manager at John Ball Zoo. “It’s a reminder that recovery is possible when we work together.”

Numbers don’t lie

In 2023, the zoo and the Haddad Lab expanded their work to include Mitchell’s satyr rearing. Though challenging to breed in captivity, recent husbandry breakthroughs have made it possible. In 2024, 44 Mitchell’s satyrs were released into the wild, and more than 100 are expected to follow in 2025. These early successes have paved the way for scaled-up releases and potential reintroductions that could help stabilize the species in the near future.

Together, these efforts offer hope that even species on the edge of extinction can recover – if we continue to invest in science, partnerships and the protection of vital habitats like prairie fens.

This story was written by the DNR’s Tony Henehan and the Haddad Lab’s Dave Pavlik.

Questions? Contact Tony Henehan at HenehanT@Michigan.gov.


Discover, have fun at state parks with explorer guides

a group of about a dozen boys and girls stand in a line, ready to launch their crafty "bats" as part of Hoffmaster State Park's Bats Bats Bats programNearly 120,000 guests took advantage of free educational activities at state parks last summer, courtesy of the DNR’s explorer guide program. This season, you can do the same at 30 state parks with similar programming that everyone in the family can enjoy!

If you want to join the fun and learn something new, here’s a peek at what’s happening around the state.

Many explorer guide programs focus on wildlife, with topics ranging from scat identification to ecosystem diversity. Want to learn about the world’s only flying mammals and how to help protect them? Check out the bat programs happening June 28 at Lakeport State Park, near Port Huron, and at Van Riper State Park, near Ishpeming.

“Bats are super cool creatures that do great things for our ecosystem,” said Paige Setzer, the explorer guide at Lakeport State Park. “They help us by eating hundreds of mosquitoes each night. They also do a lot of pollinating for agave, which is used to make tequila, and cacao, which is used to make chocolate.”

In addition to teaching about wildlife, many explorer guides lead hands-on activities in which you can pick up new skills or form a deeper connection with nature. For instance, at Wilderness State Park, located near Mackinaw City, you can learn how to tie knots in an emergency, and at Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area, near Flint, you can make a pollinator kite.

a woman in T-shirt, backpack and wide-brim hat holds a salamander in her hands as she talks to kids and adults in the forested park area“Art is a great way to get the attention of different types of people, because creativity has no limitations,” said Margo Gilbert, the explorer guide at Metamora-Hadley. “Because recognizable pollinators like bees and butterflies fly, using a kite to showcase pollination allows for connections to be made in the participants’ minds as they’re interacting with the hands-on craft.”

Guided hikes are another way to enjoy the explorer guide program this summer. Hikes can focus on topics such as tree or bird identification or simply enjoying nature in a group setting, like the sunset hike June 27 at Van Buren State Park, by South Haven.

“Our park has an incredible view of the sun at sunset, especially as it reflects off the lake surface,” said Sam Burgess, the explorer guide at Van Buren State Park. “We have many programs that focus on biological or geological elements, but I want to make sure we have dedicated time to enjoy the beauty of our park as well.”

For more information and weekly nature program schedules at the 30 explorer guide parks, visit Michigan.gov/NaturePrograms. Questions about the DNR’s explorer guide program? Contact Shaun McKeon at 989-370-0789.


Do good, feel good: Help remove invasive plants

three young boys in jeans and long-sleeve shirts walk through grassy area with bags, while adults behind them pull invasive plantsSeveral state parks in southern Michigan will host stewardship workdays in July, perfect opportunities for volunteers to help remove invasive plants that threaten the high-quality ecosystems within these parks.

Stewardship efforts are a big part of what helps keep invasive species contained and the landscape healthy at some of your favorite parks. If you can spare a few hours (and a little sweat equity!), sign up for one of the following workdays:

  • Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County)
    Saturday, July 12, 10 a.m. to noon
  • Muskegon State Park (Muskegon County)
    Sunday, July 13, 10 a.m. to noon
  • Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Barry County)
    Saturday, July 19 and July 26, 10 a.m. to noon
  • Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County)
    Sunday, July 20, 9:30 a.m. to noon
  • Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan County)
    Sunday, July 27, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Get more details, including how to register, how to dress and what to bring, on the volunteer stewardship page. If pulling invasive plants isn’t your speed, find other ways to help the places and resources you love at Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers.


July fun: Family campouts, fly fishing, Civil War and more

Battery D 1st Michigan Light Artillery reenactors demonstrate 1800s military life and a medicine show at Fort Wilkins Historic State ParkAlthough summer officially just started, it’s not too soon to think about making the most of July in Michigan’s great outdoors and historic places.

From Detroit to Copper Harbor and plenty of spots in between, the DNR’s events calendar is full of fun and learning for everyone. Here’s a look at some of the highlights:

  • Looking for a little bit of Up North in downtown Detroit? Sign up now for the Family Campout at the Outdoor Adventure Center July 11-12. Pitch a tent on our front lawn and enjoy fishing, archery, games and more. Close out the evening with a campfire and s’mores, and wake up to a pancake breakfast Saturday morning.
  • Ready to cast your line into the world of fly fishing? Mark your calendar for the Outdoor Skills Academy’s Fly Fishing Clinic July 12 at the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center in Cadillac. You’ll learn the fundamental fly-casting techniques, discover the secrets of fly selection based on your target species and gain the skills to confidently approach your next fishing adventure.
  • If you or someone you know is looking for the latest gear to help make the outdoors more accessible, head to Interlochen State Park for DiversAbility Day July 16. It’s a great opportunity to experience track chairs, pontoon boat rides, and adaptive kayaking, cycling, e-bikes and fishing. All equipment will be provided.
  • Join the Battery D, 1st Michigan Light Artillery, a Civil War-era living history group, for an artillery encampment July 25-27 on the parade grounds at Fort Wilkins Historic State Park in Copper Harbor. Catch the sights and sounds of mid-19th-century army life with artillery demonstrations, small arms drills, period cooking, soldiers’ pastimes and civilian impersonations.

Photo ambassador snapshot: Picture-perfect path

a wooden stairway slopes down through a lush, green, forested area to a calm waterway below at Wilson State Park in Clare CountySee more pictures by Michigan state parks photo ambassadors at Instagram.com/MiStateParks. For more on the program, call Stephanie Yancer at 989-274-6182. (This photo is by Lillian Dotzlaf, for the Michigan DNR, at Wilson State Park in Clare County.)


THINGS TO DO

Tying knots, setting up your pole, casting, choosing bait and more, our free Hook, Line and Sinker classes at 20-plus Michigan state parks can show you the ropes!

BUY & APPLY

Already a seasoned Michigan angler? State waterways are waiting for you; just be sure to purchase a current fishing license before you go.

GET INVOLVED

From the annual Manistee River cleanup to removing European frogbit at Shiawassee River, MUCC On the Ground events welcome your support!

Following the severe March 28-30 ice storm in northern Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources continues assessments and cleanup at many DNR-managed locations. Find a dashboard with the latest status (open, partially open, temporarily closed) of state parks, state-managed trails, boating access sites and state forest campgrounds; an interactive map; safety updates; and more on the DNR’s ice storm response page.

DNR biologists remove lid stuck on bear’s neck for 2 years

DNR biologists remove lid stuck on bear’s neck for 2 years

 
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DNR News

drone view of a black bear roaming in an open, green, forested area shortly after a DNR wildlife team removed a lid from around its neckJune 18, 2025
Contact: Cody Norton, 906-228-6561

DNR biologists remove lid stuck on bear’s neck for 2 years

In a case that highlights the importance of Michigan’s bear-baiting regulations, state wildlife biologists in Montmorency County recently removed a plastic lid from the neck of a young black bear that had carried the encumbrance around for two years.

It isn’t known exactly where or how the male bear got its head stuck in a 5-inch hole in the lid. The blue plastic lid is similar to those that fit 55-gallon drums used by hunters to bait bear and by landowners to store materials that can attract bears, such as chicken feed.

Three women from the DNR's wildlife staff work to remove a round, blue, plastic lid from the neck of an anesthetized black bearWhile baiting is a legal method for hunting bears in Michigan, bait containers can only be used on private land and may only have holes that are either 1 inch or less in diameter or 22 inches or greater in diameter.

Landowners can do their part by recycling or crushing containers such as empty cheeseball tubs and being “BearWise” about securing garbage, said Cody Norton of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. He pointed to cases in FloridaWisconsin and Tennessee in which bears got their heads stuck in food containers.

“Container openings of a certain size can result in bears and other wildlife getting their heads or other body parts stuck in them, leading to injury or death,” said Norton, the DNR’s bear, furbearer and small game specialist. “It’s important to remember that the opening diameter is more important than the size of the container.”

a black-and-white trail camera image shows a black bear with his head stuck in the hole of a round barrel lid, walking in a Hillman forestBiologists at the DNR’s Atlanta field office became aware of the bear in 2023 after seeing trail camera photos of the then-cub with its head stuck in the lid. The bear would prove elusive over the next two years, occasionally appearing on other trail camera photos but then disappearing after a day or so.

Then, in late May, a Hillman resident spotted the bear in trail camera photos taken on his wooded acreage and alerted the DNR. With the landowner’s permission, state biologists set up a baited enclosure trap and caught the animal safely on June 2. After anesthetizing the bear, they cut the lid off its neck and collected body measurements and other data.

back of the black bear's neck, showing matted down fur and scarring due to the plastic lid compressing the area for two yearsThe bear weighed 110 pounds, which is fairly standard for a 2-year-old bear that’s still growing. It had significant scarring and an abscess on its neck but otherwise seemed healthy. Once the anesthesia wore off, the bear was released back onto the property.

Norton said the trapping, chemical immobilizing and data-collecting effort provided DNR staff with valuable training and information that can inform future research and bear-management strategies. Michigan is home to about 13,000 black bears – 1,700 of them in the northern Lower Peninsula.

To learn more about living with black bears and minimizing bear encounters, visit BearWise.


Note to editors: Accompanying photos may be downloaded from this folder. All photos courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources, except for the trail camera photo. Corresponding caption information follows.

  • Immobilized bear: DNR staffers, from left, Angela Kujawa, Sherry Raifsnider and Miranda VanCleave work to remove a lid from an immobilized black bear. The bear had gotten its head stuck in one of two holes in the plastic lid.
  • Collecting data: DNR wildlife biologist Angela Kujawa collects data from an immobilized black bear.
  • Trail camera: A trail camera on private property in Hillman captured this photo of a black bear with a lid stuck on its neck. (Image provided by private resident.)
  • Scarring: The black bear had significant scarring and an abscess on its neck but was otherwise healthy.
  • Free at last: A DNR drone photo of the black bear after the lid was removed from its neck.

 

Following the severe March 28-30 ice storm in northern Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources continues assessments and cleanup at many DNR-managed locations. Find a dashboard with the latest status (open, partially open, temporarily closed) of state parks, state-managed trails, boating access sites and state forest campgrounds; an interactive map; safety updates; and more on the DNR’s ice storm response page.
DNR Wildlife Habitat Grant application period now open

DNR Wildlife Habitat Grant application period now open

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DNR News

Blazing star in wet mesic sand prairie Allegan SGA
June 17, 2025
Contact: Clay Buchanan, 517-614-0918 or Chip Kosloski, 517-281-1705

DNR Wildlife Habitat Grant application period now open

Now through July 29, 2025, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Habitat Grant Program is accepting applications with a focus on projects that restore large complexes of grassland and savanna habitat.

“Grasslands and savannas were once abundant, but are now rare in Michigan,” said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Sara Thompson. “By partnering with conservationists across the state to restore grasslands, we can provide important habitat for wildlife, as well as numerous benefits for Michiganders. Grasslands help prevent erosion and flooding, filter runoff, and pull carbon dioxide out of the air – protecting our water and air.”

Funding for this critical habitat work is available for local, state, federal and tribal governments, and profit and nonprofit groups through an open, competitive process. Minimum grant amounts will be set at $50,000, with the maximum being the amount of funds available for this grant cycle. The 2025 overall available grant amount is approximately $500,000.

Applications are open now and must be submitted through the MiGrants system no later than July 29 to be considered for funding. Successful grant applications will be announced in late summer 2025. The detailed program handbook and more information are available at the Wildlife Habitat Grants webpage.

Grassland habitats are home to some of Michigan’s most popular wildlife species, including ring-necked pheasants and wild turkeys, as well as some of the rarest, such as Karner blue butterflies and Henslow’s aparrows.

Grassland habitat 350Many grassland species depend on large grassland areas, but those remaining in Michigan are typically small, isolated, and lack sufficient plant diversity to provide habitat for many important grassland species. The 2025 Wildlife Habitat Grant Program seeks to develop and maintain large grassland and savanna complexes of 100 or more acres and improve connectivity between habitat patches.

To learn more about efforts to conserve Michigan’s grasslands and savannas, read the Large Grasslands Wildlife Action Plan and the Prairies & Savannas Wildlife Action Plan.

The Wildlife Habitat Grant Program began in October 2013 and is funded from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. The DNR administers the program with the main objective to enhance and improve the quality and quantity of wildlife species habitat in support of the Wildlife Division’s strategic plan.


Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

  • Blazing star: The purple spikes of blazing star flowers rise above the grass in wet mesic sand prairie near a forest edge at Allegan State Game Area. From the Michigan Natural Features Inventory.
  • Grassland habitat: A walking path is mowed through tall brown grassland habitat at Chippewa Nature Center, framed by trees changed to fall yellow and orange in the background.
Following the severe March 28-30 ice storm in northern Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources continues assessments and cleanup at many DNR-managed locations. Find a dashboard with the latest status (open, partially open, temporarily closed) of state parks, state-managed trails, boating access sites and state forest campgrounds; an interactive map; safety updates; and more on the DNR’s ice storm response page.